Tampa's Green Team Energized For Environment Ahead Of Earth Day

TAMPA, FL — With the help of Tampa's new Green Team, the city already has a lot to celebrate ahead of Earth Day this Saturday.

The city launched the state's first environmental stewardship program funded by AmeriCorps and in partnership with Volunteer Florida in January, and it's already paying off in green benefits.

Under the program, Green Team members work alongside city of Tampa staff and non-profits to make the community and Earth a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable place.

The 20 AmeriCorps members of Tampa's Green Team will spend a minimum of 900 hours through July 2023 planting and maintaining Tampa's tree canopy, reducing marine litter, enhancing community gardens in the city and providing climate change education.

Each AmeriCorps member receives a monthly living stipend of $2,100 over the 30 weeks of the program as well as a $3,447.50 educational award upon completing the service year.

In addition, members may be eligible for federal student loan forbearance, professional development opportunities and career advancement opportunities.

"We are thrilled to be launching the Green Team, and we have found some of the most dedicated individuals who are passionate about making a difference in their community and the environment," Mayor Jane Castor said. "This is a unique opportunity for individuals to serve their community, gain valuable professional experience, and make a positive impact on the world around them."

"By working together with AmeriCorps members and nonprofits, we can take real action to create a more sustainable and resilient Tampa,” said Whit Remer, city of Tampa's sustainability and resiliency officer. “This program is just the first step in our efforts to build a more sustainable future for our city, and we can't wait to see the great things that the Green Team will accomplish."

This and other programs are all part of "Keep it Clean, Tampa!," a joint initiative by Castor, the Tampa City Council, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and multiple City of Tampa departments to educate residents on the impacts litter can have on our community and how to get involved in keeping the city clean.

Remer said the best way to reduce the environmental impacts of waste is to prevent making it in the first place.

With that in mind, Tampa and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful are hosting a series of events leading up to the 2023 Earth Day EcoFest celebration at the Museum of Science and Industry.

On Thursday, there will be multiple Earth Day celebrations at Tampa schools.

On Friday, the third annual Great Port Cleanup will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. During this event, port partners and other community volunteers will remove trash and marine debris from several sites in and around the port including:

• McKay Bay Nature Park, 134 N 34th St., Tampa.
• Desoto Park, 2617 Corrine St., Tampa.
• Davis Island Boat Ramp & Seaplane Basin, 864 Severn Ave., Tampa.

Those attending should bring work or garden gloves, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses and closed-toe protective footwear. Trash bags, water and soft gloves will be provided and there will be promotional giveaways while supplies last.

Also on Friday, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful will host its Soho Cycle Charity Ride at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, there will be community cleanups at Cypress Point Park, 620 W Cypress St., Tampa, from 8 to 11 a.m. and another at Rowlett Park, 2401 East Yukon St., Tampa, from 8 to 11 a.m. Click here.

Darwin Wealth Management, 4601 W North A St., Tampa, will have its annual Earth Day Shred Event from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy breakfast and coffee from the Buddy Brew Coffee Truck, take home a DIY flower arrangement from Posies Flower Truck, and bring your kids hands-on Earth Day activities with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. There will be live music, giveaways and more.

Darwin Wealth Management will match each pound of shredded paper with a $1 donation to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful for its Florida Learning Center initiative to purchase starter plants to harvest in the program's 20 grow beds. Click here to register.

The 13th annual EcoFest will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at MOSI, 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa.

Hosted by Learning Gate Community School and MOSI, the free kid-friendly and pet-friendly event will feature green workshops, sustainable experts, local vendors, STEM booths, garden experts and food trucks.

This year’s EcoFest will include a Florida-Friendly Green Zone where those attending can learn about Florida-friendly gardening and how to create more environmentally sustainable outdoor spaces. There will be local experts with information and resources about reducing lawn coverage, fertilizer and water use; incorporating more permeable surfaces and better irrigation techniques; and introducing hearty native plants and attracting pollinators.

Sponsors and vendors include:

• Frios Gourmet Pops Tampa
• Sweet Lovely Pastries by Sheila
• Wicked Green
• In the Shades
• The Fairy Garden Lady
• Moody Groove Co
• Surfin' Salt
• SewCool by Lara
• Amber Rae Watercolor
• Sunday & Co.
• Adventure Coast Body Art
• Sol Man Solar
• Sweet Petals Cookies
• Jacaranda Hill
• Kangen Water Angels
• Moon Light Sticker Co.
• Your Family Movie LLC
• Beadazzled By Dawn
• Million Dollar Divas Dance Team
• The Dude and His Food
• Thai-rific Beverages
• Dube's Farm and Market
• The Easy Yogi
• Mezoculture
• Trish's Tabebuia Seeds LLC
• Tampa Audubon Society
• Fantasy Flair
• Sun Moon Creations
• Sandollar Soap Co.
• Tampa Bay Water
• City of Tampa
• Trademark Metals Recycling
• City of Tampa Solid Waste Garbage
• The Natural Athlete
• Tampa Electric
• ReUsin by Susan
• Special Thymes Popcorn & More
• Kebablicious
• Momentum Solar
• HORHAY's Mac & Cheez
• Williamsburg Cucina Caffe' e Bottega
• LeafFilter Gutter Protection
• La Orangette - Tampa
• Power Home Remodeling
• LÜFKA
• The Salt Room Wesley Chapel
• The Honey Couple
• Juju Taiyaki
• Hippie's Homemade Candles
• Oceanic Açaí
• Mystic Sisters 4 Ever
• The Shaman Shack
• The Soul Shine Studio
• Happybelly Tacos & Grill
• Moonlit Macarons
• Boba Shark
• Cabo San Taco - Mexican Food Truck
• The Main Ingredient Lutz
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium
• Tampa Bay Sierra Club
• Brandz Agency
• Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County
• Nancy Charles-Norwex Independent Sales Consultant